Savage Sisters, page 20
Carly smiled with anticipation as he pressed his lips to hers. Now they were completely secluded, they let go a little more, Dean unzipping her coat and sliding his hands under her jumper.
‘Your hands are freezing,’ she gasped.
‘I know.’ He grinned, sliding them up her back.
‘You’re a swine,’ she said, smiling up at him.
As his lips moved to her neck, whispering her name in what she thought was a very erotic way, his phone started to ring.
‘Christ,’ he muttered, releasing her and patting his pockets until he located his phone in his coat. ‘It’s Harry,’ he said before answering the call. ‘Aye, all right,’ he added after listening to the voice on the other end. ‘Don’t burst a blood vessel, we’re on our way back.’
‘We are?’ said a disappointed Carly when he’d hung up.
‘My da’s at your flat and he wants to get things moving.’
‘Against the Alexanders?’
‘Aye, and we both need to be there.’
‘I suppose we’d best get back then,’ she mumbled. It had been so nice here with Dean. It felt like some wonderful, wild place far removed from the world and all its troubles. Now she would have to return to it all – Cole’s betrayal, the mess with the Alexander and Tallan families and her father’s illness and all the associated pain.
Dean took her hand as they left the woodland and got back on the trail, heading back to the car. By now there were a few dog walkers about, so they no longer had it all to themselves.
As they returned to Haghill, Dean told her, ‘I hope you don’t feel awkward about what happened between us back there. If you want to do it again that’s more than okay with me but if you don’t, I won’t pressure you.’
‘That’s very sweet of you.’
‘God knows what we’re going to face today and I’ve no idea how things will turn out. Sometimes it’s good to just live in the moment.’
‘You’re right, it is,’ she replied. And he was right. After today, everything could change.
20
Carly and Dean returned to the flat to find the family gathered at the kitchen table, including Alec.
‘You’re up again, Da’,’ said Carly, kissing his cheek.
‘Aye, sweetheart,’ he murmured. ‘I enjoyed it before.’
‘Da’ wants to sit out in the garden this morning,’ said Jane, disapproval in her eyes. ‘Even though it’s cold out.’
‘Then we’ll have to wrap you up warm.’ Carly smiled at her father.
He attempted to smile back but Carly was concerned when she noticed that his face looked even more mask-like than usual and the tremor had returned to his hands. ‘Or maybe we should wait for the nurses to arrive and see what they think?’
‘That’s a good idea,’ said Jane.
‘That’s shite,’ said Eddie. ‘Alec knows his own mind. If he wants to sit out for a wee bit, then he can. Me and the boys will help settle him in the chair out there.’
‘But it is pretty nippy,’ said Carly.
‘That explains why your face is so red,’ Jane told her.
Carly’s gaze met her sister’s and she saw disapproval there. Did she suspect what had gone on between her and Dean? ‘It was really windy up there,’ she said.
Jane looked to her father. ‘See. You’ll make yourself ill.’
‘I already am ill,’ he replied with some effort.
‘At least wait for the nurses.’
‘I’ll get your coat, Alec,’ said Eddie, getting to his feet.
‘But—’ began Jane.
‘He’s a grown man,’ he told his niece. ‘Treating him like a child won’t help him.’
Jane sighed with defeat and sank back into her chair. ‘Fine, but make sure you dress warm, Da’.’
Eddie and Carly between them put a thick woollen jumper over Alec’s pyjamas then his coat. Then they put gloves on his hands and shoes on his feet. Eddie and Harry helped him shuffle outside to the waiting chair and eased him into it before putting a hat on his head and a blanket over his knees.
‘There,’ said Eddie, tucking the blanket in around him. ‘Snug as a bug in a wee rug.’
‘Thanks,’ said Alec, gurgling in the back of his throat as the saliva had built up there. It was with some difficulty that he swallowed it down and pressed the handkerchief to his lips with shaking hands.
Carly watched from the door and noted the distress that briefly filled Eddie’s eyes at the state his once strong and vital brother was now in, and her heart softened towards him. Even though she wasn’t sure it was a good idea he was outside, Eddie was only trying to help her father.
‘Imagine how happy that sea view would make him,’ Eddie quietly told her as he returned to the house with Harry. ‘My brother’s wanted to live by the sea since he was a wee boy.’
Carly gazed thoughtfully at her father, who looked out at the garden, such as it was. All he had to look at was some raggedy grass, a couple of planters containing dead plants and a grey wall. Perhaps blackmailing rich bastards was worth it to bring him happiness in his final days?
They left the back door ajar so they could keep an eye on Alec.
‘Ten minutes then I’m going out there to see if he wants to come in,’ Jane told her uncle.
‘All right, hen, if you think that’s right,’ he replied as they all seated themselves at the table.
‘Where’s Rose?’ said Carly.
‘In the shower,’ replied Jane. ‘So we have a bit of time to discuss the plan.’
They went over things again, ensuring everyone understood what they had to do. Just as they’d finished, Rose came into the kitchen, so Jane and Carly went outside to check on their father.
‘Are you ready to come back in, Da’?’ Jane asked him.
‘Five more minutes,’ he murmured, his gaze far away.
His daughters looked to where he was staring but there was nothing but the grey wall.
‘What are you looking at, Da’?’ Carly asked him.
‘Nothing. Just thinking about your maw. I miss her.’
It took him even longer than usual to get this sentence out and the sisters glanced at each other uneasily.
‘The nurses will be here any minute,’ said Jane. ‘And they’ll tear us a new one if they see you out here in the cold.’
He just nodded and between them his daughters helped him to his feet, holding onto his arms as he shuffled back inside, barely able to lift his feet up off the floor.
‘Back inside already, Alec?’ boomed Eddie cheerfully.
Carly had noticed that when he was feeling emotional, the volume of her uncle’s voice increased by a few decibels.
‘Aye,’ replied Alec. ‘Bit chilly.’
Some saliva escaped from his lips as he spoke and dripped down his chin. Eddie winced and looked down at the floor while Jane hastened to wipe it away.
‘Let’s get you back in bed, Da’,’ said Carly. ‘Get you warm again.’
There was silence as the two women assisted him into his bedroom and tucked him in.
‘Do you want a hot water bottle?’ Jane asked him.
‘No, thanks,’ he said. ‘Better now. I’ll have a sleep.’
‘Okay,’ she replied, planting a kiss on his forehead.
She left with Carly, who gently closed the bedroom door behind her.
‘I knew he shouldn’t have gone out,’ whispered Jane, eyes flashing. ‘But Eddie wouldn’t listen.’
‘He was only doing what he thought was best. Don’t be too hard on him. We’ve made mistakes too.’
‘True,’ she sighed.
‘And we need to be united today. Any falling out among ourselves could be dangerous.’ Carly forced a smile when she saw an anxious Eddie hurry out of the kitchen and down the hallway towards them.
‘Is Alec okay?’ he asked his nieces.
‘Aye, fine,’ said Carly. ‘He’s having a wee nap.’
‘Oh good,’ he replied, looking relieved. He caught the look in Jane’s eyes. ‘Fine, from now on, you two have the final say over his care.’
‘Thank you,’ she replied with a grateful nod of the head.
‘I’ll run Rose to school, then we can put the plan into motion.’
‘Excellent.’ Her smile reassured him that all was forgiven.
‘See you later,’ said Rose who hugged her sisters goodbye before leaving with her uncle.
‘I worry about her every time she sets foot outside the door,’ said Jane.
‘Me too,’ replied Carly. ‘But she’s safe at school and she’s getting driven there and back.’
As they returned to the kitchen, Jane noted the look that passed between Carly and Dean, both their eyes sparkling as they gazed at each other.
‘I take it you enjoyed your walk this morning?’ Jane asked them, causing them to break eye contact.
‘Aye, it was really nice,’ said Carly. ‘You should go there one day, it’s so beautiful.’
‘It’s certainly put the spring back in your step.’
‘We had a nice time.’ Carly shrugged.
Jane decided not to press the issue. They had more important things to think about. She would question Carly about it later.
To avoid her sister’s searching gaze, Carly washed up the breakfast things. The nurses arrived and Carly left them to see to Alec just as Eddie returned from dropping Rose off at school.
‘Everything okay?’ Jane asked him.
‘Fine. No problems,’ he replied. ‘You ready?’
‘No’ just yet. The nurses are with Da’.’
‘Oh, right. Then we’ll wait.’
An hour later, Alec was settled back into bed after being bathed by the nurses, and the rest of the family gathered around the table, the five of them regarding each other seriously. Eddie produced a burner phone from his pocket and held it out to Carly.
‘Make the call, hen.’
She nodded, took the phone from him and dialled.
‘Hi,’ she said when the voice on the other end answered, deepening her voice slightly in an attempt to alter it. ‘Is Ross Alexander there? No, it’s all right. Just tell him that the Savage family are going to attack the garage where his brother works.’
She hung up before the voice at the gym where Ross could be found every morning could ask any more questions.
‘That will put the wind up him,’ said Eddie. ‘Jane, your turn.’
She took the phone from her sister and called the nail bar Jessica frequented. Carly’s intimate knowledge of the Alexander family had come in very useful. ‘Hi,’ she said, lightening her voice, making her sound like an airhead. ‘Is Jessica Alexander there? Good. I need you to pass on an urgent message. Tell her the Savages are going to attack her maw’s house. Who am I? A friend,’ she added before hanging up.
Jane passed the phone to Eddie, who also dialled. ‘Aye, all right, pal? Is Brian Alexander there? Tell him to get over to number twenty Montgomery Road pronto. His missus is in bed with the milkman who lives there.’ He hung up with a satisfied smile. ‘That wee rumour will be all around the bookies in seconds. Don’t worry, I already checked out that house and it’s empty.’
‘Thank God for that,’ said Jane. ‘Although we can’t be sure Brian will even care judging by what Jim told Carly.’
‘We can but see. Harry, you’re up next.’
He took the phone and dialled. ‘Hi, I’m looking for Dominic Alexander. No, don’t get him. Aww, ya fanny,’ he sighed.
‘What?’ demanded Eddie.
‘The idiot went to get him.’
‘It’s all right, just stick to the plan.’
Harry nodded and when he next spoke, he made his voice extremely deep and slow. ‘Dominic? Aye, this is a friend. I’ve just seen that pair of Savage cousins hanging around the back of your hoose.’ Harry’s forehead creased. ‘Eh? Naw, I mean those brothers, Jane and Carly’s cousins. Yeah, that’s right,’ he added, rolling his eyes. He hung up. ‘What a thick bastard. He thought I meant savage as in brutal. It took him a bit to understand it’s our surname.’
‘Who’s gonnae make the last call?’ said Eddie.
‘Not me,’ replied Carly, knowing that call would be to Cole.
‘I may as well do it,’ said Harry. ‘Seeing how I’m holding the phone.’
‘Use the same voice,’ his father told him.
Harry nodded as he dialled. ‘Hi, can I speak to Cole Alexander? Oh, it is,’ he said, surprised to find he was speaking to the man himself. ‘You should know, the Savage family are gonnae petrol bomb your hoose.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘It’s no’ her, it’s those mad bastard cousins of hers. Get over there right now.’ He hung up and placed the phone on the table. ‘I’m no’ sure he believed it. He said Carly would never allow that to happen,’ he added, glancing her way.
‘It doesn’t really matter if he doesnae take the bait,’ said Eddie. ‘Step one of the plan is in motion. Right now, the other four members of the Alexander family will be tearing about the place, chasing after phantoms.’
‘And what if they all talk to each other?’ said Jane. ‘They’ll be suspicious when they hear they all got a warning phone call from different people about different things at the same time.’
‘They’ll have to check out the warnings; there’s no choice. That’s all we need.’ He got to his feet. ‘Jane, Harry, let’s go. You two stay here and look after Alec,’ he told Carly and Dean.
The three of them departed, leaving Carly and Dean alone. They regarded each other shyly, neither sure what to do.
‘Do you want a brew?’ said Carly because she didn’t know what else to say.
‘A coffee would be great, thanks,’ he replied.
She got to her feet and walked over to the counter. ‘Do you want this fancy stuff your da’ bought?’
‘That’ll do.’
He watched her switch on the kettle and prepare the mugs, fighting the urge to go up to her and wrap her in his arms. He’d already pushed the boundaries today and thought it would be wise to give her a bit of space.
They enjoyed a coffee together, making the most of the quiet before the inevitable mayhem ensued.
When they’d finished their drinks, Carly took the empty mugs to the sink to wash them up and Dean was unable to hold back any longer. He rose, came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back against him, reaching around to run her fingers through his hair.
‘We shouldn’t be distracted right now,’ she breathed as he kissed her neck.
‘I can’t help it. You constantly distract me.’
Carly turned in his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck and they kissed deeply. He pressed her back against the unit, her legs wrapping around his waist. It had been so long since she’d been with a man and her body screamed out for his. He pulled her jumper off over her head, taking a moment to admire her pert breasts in her black bra and her smooth stomach. She was long and lean and her skin was like ivory.
Carly pulled him closer, feeling the most demanding part of him pressing right against her. He slid down her left bra strap while gliding his lips down the curve of her neck to her breasts.
Then the doorbell rang.
‘Oh, bloody hell,’ sighed Carly.
‘We should ignore it.’
She gazed up into his eyes, which had never looked so brilliant before and his face was flushed.
‘I wish we could but some of Da’s medical supplies are being delivered this morning.’
He sighed and released her. ‘You’d better answer it then, but I’ll come with you.’
After Carly had pulled on her jumper, they both headed to the door. She pulled it open to reveal Cole standing on the doorstep.
‘What are you doing here?’ she said in surprise.
He didn’t respond, hard eyes flicking from her to Dean and back again.
‘Hello?’ she said, waving her hand in front of Cole’s face.
‘I want to know which one of your cousins called my work with some bollocks about someone petrol bombing my hoose.’
‘It wasn’t us,’ replied Carly. Well, it wasn’t a lie. It had been Harry.
‘That’s shite. It was one of you lot and I want to know what you’re up to.’
‘We’re not up to anything. Where do you get off coming around here and making demands after you tried to kidnap me, you total bastard?’ She was trying to keep her voice low so her dad didn’t overhear but her emotions were starting to get the better of her.
‘If this is some shitey plan of yours it won’t work,’ he said, his voice and eyes dripping with menace. ‘We’ll still take everything you have.’
‘Good luck with that because we’ve got fuck all,’ she retorted.
‘You’ve got your cosy new deal with the Tallan family.’
‘No, Carly,’ said Dean, wrapping an arm around her waist when she tried to launch herself at Cole.
‘You’ll leave my family alone,’ she spat.
‘It’s too late for that,’ said Cole. ‘Things have gone too far.’
‘Where has my Cole gone?’ she cried. ‘When you came to me after you were first released from prison, you were him.’
‘It was easy to give you what you wanted.’
‘You only wanted me back so you could use me as leverage over my cousins and uncle, didn’t you?’
‘Yes.’
This single word was a knife in Carly’s chest and it took her a moment to catch her breath.
‘You were more stubborn than I thought though,’ he continued. ‘I assumed you’d fall into my arms like you always did. I have to admit it was a hell of a shock when you didn’t but I suppose we’ve both changed. I haven’t been the weakling I once was for a long time now. The old Cole was holding me back, so I destroyed him, became stronger, smarter.’
‘Why did neither of you tell me you knew each other in prison?’ she demanded of them both.
Dean cast his eyes shamefully to the ground. ‘Because I didn’t want you to know I’d been inside.’
‘And I wanted to use it against you both,’ said Cole without a hint of shame. ‘I knew he wouldn’t tell you,’ he added with a sneer in Dean’s direction. ‘He likes to make out he’s cultured and sophisticated with his books and classical music but actually he’s a fucking animal. I wanted you to mistrust him. It would make it easier to take you if he wasn’t hanging around you all the time.’
